‘Oh, Mum…’ said Phoebe. ‘We tried, but the hotel was rubbish, there was barely any snow and the prices were astronomical. We stuck it out for two days, but Iz and I were miserable. However much we pretended otherwise, all we wanted was to be here, with you. We’ve probably saved ourselves a tonne of money by not staying.’
Izzy pushed at her sister’s arm, rolling her eyes. ‘We were just supposed to say how much we missed you, Mum, but Pheebes obviously misread that memo.’
Peg laughed, happiness surging inside her. ‘I don’t care what the reasons are, I’m just very glad to see you.’ She turned around, aware that now the crush of greetings was over, the girls were becoming curious about their potato-peeling guest.
‘Girls, this is Blanche, she’s—’ She broke off. How to explain? ‘Part of a very long story which I’ll tell you about in a minute. And Blanche, as you’ve probably worked out, these are mygirls – Izzy, my eldest, and Phoebe, who came a very close second. There’s only just over a year between them.’ She paused, listening for sounds of movement from the other room. ‘Girls, you’ll never guess who else is here?’
And right on cue, Mim came through the door. ‘Did I hear voices?’ she asked. ‘It sounded like…’
‘Mim!’ The girls rushed over, skidding to a stop when they saw her plaster cast.
‘Mum told us you’d hurt your wrist,’ said Phoebe, squeezing herself carefully into her great-aunt’s good side. ‘I hope it doesn’t hurttoomuch.’
‘No, it’s just a blessed nuisance,’ came the reply. ‘But I’ve been told off good and proper, so don’t you two start. Come here and let me look at you.’ She held out a hand to Izzy, pulling her in close beside Phoebe as she smiled. ‘Still beautiful,’ she declared.
It was Phoebe whose face fell first – always the more serious of the two. ‘Is it still all right if we stay? If not, we can find a hotel or?—’
‘You’ll do no such thing,’ said Peg. ‘Of course you can stay. You’ll have to both bunk up in your room though, Pheebes, Mim is in Izzy’s room.’
‘No problem.’ Phoebe’s sunny smile filled the room. ‘Shall we drop our gear upstairs, and then you can tell us what’s been going on in the three whole days we’ve been away. We only spoke to you on the day before Christmas Eve.’
‘Goodness, was it really that long ago?’ It seemed to Peg as if an age had passed since she’d gathered holly from the wood in contemplation of a quiet Christmas.
Mim rested herself against the table. ‘Well, I don’t think any of us were expecting such a lovely surprise,’ she said. ‘Shall I make us all some tea?’
‘The girls will probably have a Coke, Mim, but I’d love one, thank you. Just be careful lifting the kettle.’
Mim waved away her concern. ‘Trouble lifting the kettle, my eye,’ she muttered as she crossed the room.
Peg caught Blanche’s wry smile and nodded before looking away. Her girls were home; nothing bad could possibly happen today.
They were still sitting around the table catching up on the news when, not quite an hour later, there was another knock on the door.
‘That’ll be the other members of our party,’ said Blanche. ‘Action stations, everyone.’
Peg was still trying to stifle a snigger as she welcomed Sofia and Adam inside. It felt wrong to be so light-hearted but she couldn’t help herself.
‘Come in, come in…’ she said, pulling them both into the kitchen. They looked exhausted. ‘Let’s have your coats and then come and sit down.’ She rubbed Sofia’s arm. ‘First things first though, how are things? Did you see the consultant?’
Adam inhaled a deep breath, nodding as he did so. ‘Yes, and Henry’s okay, we think. There’s not really much change but that’s a good thing, apparently. The consultant said that the bleed was caught quickly, and it was fortunate it happened where it did otherwise Dad would almost certainly not be with us. I know that’s what he told us before but there was more detail this time about some of the possible problems Dad might face. He said he’s hopeful, though. All in all, I think it’s about as good as it can be at the moment.’
‘Excellent.’ Peg held out her arm for his coat. ‘Let me introduce you to everyone. Numbers have swelled a bit from when we spoke this morning – which is fine, by the way – you’re still very welcome, so no nonsense about you being in the way.’
It took a while before everyone was introduced and more explanations had been given for the situation they all foundthemselves in, but eventually they arrived at a point where Peg needed to think about the dinner she’d promised everyone.
‘So…Adam and Sofia…what would you like to do first? Sit by the fire with a cup of tea? Maybe have a shower? It’s entirely up to you.’
Sofia, who still looked distinctly uncomfortable, cleared her throat. ‘A shower would be wonderful, if you’re sure that’s okay.’ She sniffed her sleeve. ‘I think I smell disgusting…the hospital, it’s…I’m sure it’s clean, but…’
‘They do have a certain smell, I agree,’ said Peg. ‘Shower it is, then. Izzy, would you mind showing Sofia where everything is while I make a start on the food? How about you, Adam?’
‘I wouldn’t say no to a shower as well, but some decent tea first would be very welcome.’
Peg wafted her arm in the direction of the living room. ‘Go through and make yourself at home and I’ll bring you one in.’
‘Mum?’ said Sofia. ‘Why don’t you come through as well? Then you won’t be in the way. I’m sure Peg has a lot to do.’
‘She does,’ said Peg, smiling warmly. ‘But Blanche is my chief potato peeler so she’s needed here, I’m afraid.’
